Project TOPIC : The Impact of Social Media on Consumer behavior ( 2000 word ) Progress report ( 500 word )

Learning Outcomes

1. DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE OF, ANALYSE AND CRITICALLY ASSESS THE LITERATURE IN A GIVEN BUSINESS - RELATED SUBJECT AREA.
2. IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SUPERVISOR, FORMULATE RESEARCH QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIVES IN THE GIVEN SUBJECT AREA.
3. CONSTRUCT AN ARGUMENT EMPLOYING RELEVANT AND VALID EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF A CONCLUSION THAT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM POSED BY THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIVES.
4. DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCE IN INDEPENDENT LEARNING.
5. DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCE IN THE COMMUNICATION SKILLS NEEDED TO GENERATE THE REQUIRED FORMAT OF WRITTEN PRESENTATION.

Assessment Method

An ASSIGNMENT consisting of 2000 WORDS weighted at 85% and a PROGRESS REPORT consisting of 500 WORDS weighted at 15%.

A progress report of 500 words weighted at 15% [Tests learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

An assignment 2000 words long, weighted at 85% comprising a critical literature review and reasoned argument tackling research questions/objectives agreed with the student's supervisor. [Tests learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Teaching & learning Strategies

Guided independent learning is the core strategy on this module. You will have workshop sessions with a group of fellow students to discuss ideas, approaches and problems, and one-on-one meetings with your supervisor to review progress. Both of these will occur in a timetabled weekly slot. The module handbook will provide a detailed learning schedule.

Referring Text

1. Gill, J.and Johnson, P. (2002) Research Methods for Managers, Sage, ISBN 0761940022
2. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2002), Research Methods for Business Students, 3rd edition, Financial Times Prentice Hall, ISBN 0273658042

PROJECT - WORKSHOP

Assignment Steps

When choosing a research topic:

• What you are interested in
• Your award
• The discipline you would like to work in
• The size of the topic
• The time you have available
• The resources you have available
• Access issues

Topic - Generation techniques:

- Brainstorming
- Mind maps
- Relevance trees
- Reading relevant publications
- Communication with module leader/supervisor

Step one: Choose a topic

The topic should be SMART which means:
1. Specific
2. Measurable
3. Achievable
4. Realistic
5. Timed

Step Two: Introduction:

The introduction must include:
a) Brief information about your topic
b) Write your question
c) Tie between your question & the information.

Step Three: Write a question, or objective

The question should be;
1. One only
2. SMART
3. Clear
4. simple

Step Four: Examples of secondary data sources:

1. Secondary data such as:
• Textbooks
• Articles in academic publications
• Conference papers
• Reports
• Published statistics
• Annual reports and accounts
• Popular media e.g. newspapers, broadcasts
• Electronic databases
• Internet
2. You need at least 20 sufficient references
3. You must use Harvard Referencing system within the assignment text and at the end of the assignment.
4. Arrange them Alphabetically
5. Start with:

- Books.
- Articles
- Websites

First: Conducting a literature review:
 Start as soon as possible
 Decide on the scope e.g. timescales or geography
 Key word identification
 Identify quality research articles i.e. discuss the methodology, results and conclusions
 Use the references to guide to other sources

Second: When writing up:

 Define terms
 Select only relevant material
 Group material into categories
 Draw out important features
 Make comparisons of results
 Be critical

Third: Writing the literature review
The literature review should:
- Summarise the main ideas, issues & debates
- Link these to your assignment question.
- Link these to your findings.

Fourth: Writing style
- Use a consistent style of writing throughout your project.
- Tie the ideas you are reviewing to your own work.
- Discuss how your research extends ideas that you are reviewing.
- Compare your work to that of others.
Fifth: Ask yourself:

 Have I critically analysed the literature - comparing and assessing not just describing and summarizing?
 Have I cited and discussed studies contrary to my perspective?
 Will the reader find my literature review informative, relevant, appropriate and useful?

Step Five: Start Reading the literature review:

First: Critical Reading:

1. Keep your purpose in mind when you read
2. Don't let the arguments in the book distract you from your reading agenda.
3. Skim the headings and the abstract of the piece; perhaps look at the first line of each paragraph and the conclusion
4. You don't need to read everything with equal attention.

A. For the Articles focus on the abstracts.
B. For the books, check the index & the contents, introduction & conclusion.

Second: Check Your Skills
- Research
- Analysis
- Prioritisation
- Concise writing
- Organisation
- Time management
- Consistency
- Spelling

Step Six: Conclusion

Should include:

1. Findings
2. Results
3. Recommendations

Step Seven: Avoid Common Mistakes

1. Never write comma after that
2. (At) always after aim
3. Poor subject choice - not enough research
4. Un-SMART objectives
5. Poor presentation
6. Little theoretical foundation
7. Descriptive and repetitive
8. Little effort
9. PLAGIARISM = Zerooooooooooo

Step Eight: Make sure that you have successful Project

Characteristics of successful Project:

- Evidence of depth and breadth of relevant and contemporary research
- Ability to analyse, evaluate and argue
- Clear and logical structure
- Appropriate application of theoretical concepts and models
- Professional presentation

There must be 20 References as Harvard style ( 5 from book , 5 from journal , 5 from article & 5 from internet web ) and the citation must be there in the report.

Attachment:- HANDOUT.rar